Second series of storms hit area, another coming today

Motorist make their way along streets in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. The second in a series of storms slammed Northern California on Friday as heavy rain and strong winds knocked out power, tied up traffic and caused flooding along some stretches. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Two wet, blustery storms down, one more to go before the weekend is over.

The second in a series of three big storms blew threw the Bay Area on Friday, causing a peak of 13,800 power outages at noon, felling power lines and trees, and snarling traffic and creating minor to moderate flooding on freeways, onramps and city streets. Weather Central meteorologist Tim Woebbeking warns another is expected to slam the Bay Area today.

"I would call that a very active pattern," Woebbeking said, "significant, and significant for this time of year. I see (rainfall totals of) 3.33 at Kentfield in the North Bay, I see

3.5 at Sonoma County Airport. I see 5.3 at Big Sur. That's certainly some heavy rainfall."

Although most of the problems were in the coastal areas, California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Chris Parker said Solano County has seen an increase in accidents.

"People don't increase their following distance," Parker said, adding, however, that that's not the only problem.

Because of the heavy downpour in a relatively short period of time, there have been some "ponding" and flooding in the center divide, and sometimes first lane, of area freeway.

"That increases the chance of hydroplaning," Parker said. He said road conditions will only get worse with the additional rain.

"There's only so much water the storm drain and creeks can take," he said. "They will overflow, causing more flooding."

There also was a power outage in Vallejo Friday affecting 16 customers in the area of Tuolumne and Redwood streets, according to PG&E. The issue began at 11 a.m. and crew was working on replacing a transformer as of 4 p.m.

The first storm sped rapidly through the region Wednesday, while the second deluge that started Thursday night "stalled out" and lingered awhile, accounting for higher rain totals -- 1.96 inches at San Francisco Airport, 1.99 inches at Oakland Airport and 1.33 inches at San Jose's Mineta Airport for the 24-hour period ending 2 p.m. Friday.

With today's soaker expected to deliver a similar punch, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch though Monday morning for the coastal mountain areas. The region is expected to get a brief respite on Monday, but there is a possibility of rain Tuesday, especially in the North Bay, Woebbeking said.

Much of Friday's damage occurred in Santa Cruz County, where heavy rain and wind knocked down power lines, particularly in the San Lorenzo Valley area.

San Francisco Airport reported 60 canceled flights as of 2 p.m. Friday, and delays of up to three and a half hours.

More than 7.5 inches of rain fell in parts of Sonoma County, and a fallen tree and downed wires blocked both directions of state Highway 1 in Olema Friday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. Highway 121 at State Route 12 was shut down due to flooding.

The East Bay suffered less disruption although there were scattered reports of flooding and two people were injured and taken to the hospital after their car spun out during the rainstorm and collided with other vehicles. The steady rain also forced the early dismissal of Antioch Charter Academy II, which is in the flood prone area near the Contra Costa Fairgrounds and West Antioch Creek.

"We were looking at the weather report and the history of this creek," said teacher Tim Rubin. The baseball fields near the school were taking on quite a bit of water, which is an "indicator that we don't have much time," he said, adding that teachers at the school monitored the creek throughout the day to see if it was rising, and plan to do the same on Sunday. If it crests the bridge, parents will be notified by phone, email and text message."It got close today. The creek was very high this morning, about a foot below the bridge. Luckily the tide was low," Rubin said.

There was flooding in downtown Martinez on Berrellesa Street and along a stretch of Marina Vista Road, public works superintendent Bob Cellini said. Though there was no flooding in Pleasant Hill Saturday, public work crews would be on call throughout the weekend.